Job summary
We are looking for a proactive and dedicated Housekeeping Team Lead to manage and support our onsite housekeeping team and ensure our hospice is a clean, safe and welcoming environment for patients, families, visitors, staff and volunteers.
This is an exciting opportunity to take full responsibility for the delivery of high-quality housekeeping services across our hospice site including our Inpatient Unit, Day Hospice, and non-clinical areas across the site. You will oversee all aspects of daily housekeeping operations, so excellent organisational and people management skills are essential.
Main duties of the job
As Housekeeping Team Lead, your main duties and responsibilities include:
Lead, supervise and support the housekeeping team to deliver consistently high cleaning standards across all areas of the hospice.
Manage rotas, schedules and staffing levels to ensure adequate coverage and efficiency.
Monitor standards through audits, spot checks, and regular reviews.
Promote and uphold best practice in infection prevention and control.
Handle stock control, ordering, and resource planning in line with budget and operational needs.
Train, support and develop staff, conducting appraisals and identifying learning needs.
Be a visible and approachable leader, responding to service needs and contributing to a warm and respectful environment for patients and their families.
For full details of what the role includes please read the attached Job Description or call Andrew Webb, Head of Estates on 01246 568801.
About us
Ashgate Hospice, based in North Derbyshire, offers free palliative and end of life care for adults with life-limiting or incurable illnesses, including cancer, neurological diseases, and advanced heart, kidney, and lung conditions. Last year, we cared for over 2,400 people. Our aim is to support our patients by keeping them informed, managing their symptoms, and improving their quality of life from diagnosis onwards.
We also provide vital support to the people who are important to them, offering practical assistance and emotional support, including bereavement services.
Were more than a care provider. Were a campaigner for sustainable end of life care funding in the UK, and we continually invest in our services and workforce.
Job description
Job responsibilities
At Ashgate Hospice, were more than a care provider. Were a campaigner for sustainable end of life care funding in the UK, and we continually invest in our services and workforce.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do:
We are compassionate.
We are a team.
We are respectful, open, and inclusive.
We value diversity and inclusion and encourage applicants from all backgrounds.
We strive to create a workplace thats happy, safe, and supportive and our team seems to agree! In fact, 86% of staff would recommend Ashgate Hospice as an employer.
We know how important wellbeing and work-life balance are, which is why were open to flexible work arrangements, including job-sharing.
As part of our team, youll have access to training opportunities to help you grow, both personally and professionally. Whether you want to develop in your current role or explore new career paths, well support you every step of the way. Want to know more about what its like to work with us? Visit our website, check out our social media channels, or listen to our podcast, The Life and Death Podcast. Its a great way to get a sense of the Ashgate team and the difference we make.
Job description
Job responsibilities
At Ashgate Hospice, were more than a care provider. Were a campaigner for sustainable end of life care funding in the UK, and we continually invest in our services and workforce.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do:
We are compassionate.
We are a team.
We are respectful, open, and inclusive.
We value diversity and inclusion and encourage applicants from all backgrounds.
We strive to create a workplace thats happy, safe, and supportive and our team seems to agree! In fact, 86% of staff would recommend Ashgate Hospice as an employer.
We know how important wellbeing and work-life balance are, which is why were open to flexible work arrangements, including job-sharing.
As part of our team, youll have access to training opportunities to help you grow, both personally and professionally. Whether you want to develop in your current role or explore new career paths, well support you every step of the way. Want to know more about what its like to work with us? Visit our website, check out our social media channels, or listen to our podcast, The Life and Death Podcast. Its a great way to get a sense of the Ashgate team and the difference we make.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 2 in Cleaning or equivalent
- Knowledge and experience of Infection Control standards
- Working knowledge and experience of COSHH and manual handling procedures
- Basic Health & Safety awareness or training (e.g. risk assessments, safe systems of work)
Desirable
- Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor or equivalent leadership training
- Formal COSHH training certificate
- Previous Training in the correct manual handling technique
- Formal Health & Safety qualification or Risk Assessment training
Experience
Essential
- Proven track record in managing a cleaning or housekeeping team, ideally in a healthcare or hospitality environment.
- Experience in staff rostering, absence monitoring, and conducting performance reviews.
- Experience with procurement or stock systems.
- Understanding of the importance of service improvement, and ability to support change in a team setting
- Willingness to engage in and contribute to changes that improve service delivery and team dynamics
Desirable
- Experience in a hospice, care, or healthcare setting.
- Experience in quality audits or inspections.
- Experience of leading service or process improvements in a housekeeping or facilities team
- Experience of implementing change or supporting others through change initiatives
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Ability to lead by example, build rapport, and motivate a team.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including tact and empathy when dealing with patients and families.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- Ability to lead during periods of change and maintain team morale under pressure.
- Confidence to give and receive constructive feedback to support performance improvement.
- Confidence in using Microsoft Office and staff systems such as rostering and time management software (e.g. Cascade or similar).
- Able to work independently and take initiative while maintaining oversight of a busy and varied workload.
- Able to maintain high standards under pressure and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
- Willingness to undertake further training relevant to the role.
- Flexibility to work additional hours on occasion to meet operational needs.
- Commitment to the values and mission of the hospice.
- Physical ability to undertake manual tasks and move around the site.
- Emotional resilience and ability to work around patients receiving end of life care.
- Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and upholding professional standards at all times.
Desirable
- Ability to mentor, train and develop staff
- Skilled in managing change and improving team culture and morale
- Ability to analyse service delivery and implement improvements for efficiency or quality.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 2 in Cleaning or equivalent
- Knowledge and experience of Infection Control standards
- Working knowledge and experience of COSHH and manual handling procedures
- Basic Health & Safety awareness or training (e.g. risk assessments, safe systems of work)
Desirable
- Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor or equivalent leadership training
- Formal COSHH training certificate
- Previous Training in the correct manual handling technique
- Formal Health & Safety qualification or Risk Assessment training
Experience
Essential
- Proven track record in managing a cleaning or housekeeping team, ideally in a healthcare or hospitality environment.
- Experience in staff rostering, absence monitoring, and conducting performance reviews.
- Experience with procurement or stock systems.
- Understanding of the importance of service improvement, and ability to support change in a team setting
- Willingness to engage in and contribute to changes that improve service delivery and team dynamics
Desirable
- Experience in a hospice, care, or healthcare setting.
- Experience in quality audits or inspections.
- Experience of leading service or process improvements in a housekeeping or facilities team
- Experience of implementing change or supporting others through change initiatives
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Ability to lead by example, build rapport, and motivate a team.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills, including tact and empathy when dealing with patients and families.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- Ability to lead during periods of change and maintain team morale under pressure.
- Confidence to give and receive constructive feedback to support performance improvement.
- Confidence in using Microsoft Office and staff systems such as rostering and time management software (e.g. Cascade or similar).
- Able to work independently and take initiative while maintaining oversight of a busy and varied workload.
- Able to maintain high standards under pressure and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
- Willingness to undertake further training relevant to the role.
- Flexibility to work additional hours on occasion to meet operational needs.
- Commitment to the values and mission of the hospice.
- Physical ability to undertake manual tasks and move around the site.
- Emotional resilience and ability to work around patients receiving end of life care.
- Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and upholding professional standards at all times.
Desirable
- Ability to mentor, train and develop staff
- Skilled in managing change and improving team culture and morale
- Ability to analyse service delivery and implement improvements for efficiency or quality.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
